Greenwich Academy goalie, Lexi Seidel, right, makes a second-half stop during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated Greenwich High School, 18-15. less

Greenwich Academy goalie, Lexi Seidel, right, makes a second-half stop during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday ... more

At left, Izzy Viola (# 24) of Greenwich Academy goes for a loose ball along with Emily Johnson (second from left) of Greenwich High School during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated Greenwich High School, 18-15. less

At left, Izzy Viola (# 24) of Greenwich Academy goes for a loose ball along with Emily Johnson (second from left) of Greenwich High School during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High ... more

Angie Loynaz (# 8) of Greenwich Academy during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated Greenwich High School, 18-15. less

Angie Loynaz (# 8) of Greenwich Academy during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich ... more

Emmy Olney (# 22) of Greenwich Academy in action during the girls lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated Greenwich High School, 18-15. less

Emmy Olney (# 22) of Greenwich Academy in action during the girls lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy ... more

At right, Emma Christie of Greenwich High School scores past Greenwich Academy golaie Lexie Seidel, left, during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated Greenwich High School, 18-15. less

At right, Emma Christie of Greenwich High School scores past Greenwich Academy golaie Lexie Seidel, left, during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at ... more

At right, Sasha Fritts (# 18) of Greenwich Academy scores during the second half of the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated Greenwich High School, 18-15. less

At right, Sasha Fritts (# 18) of Greenwich Academy scores during the second half of the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday ... more

At right, Emilia Tapsall (# 10) of Greenwich Academy defends a Greenwich High School player during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated Greenwich High School, 18-15. less

At right, Emilia Tapsall (# 10) of Greenwich Academy defends a Greenwich High School player during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High ... more

At left, Emilia Tapsall (# 10) of Greenwich Academy watches the coin-toss along with Greenwich High School's Molli Haimerl (# 6) during the start of the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated Greenwich High School,18-15. less

At left, Emilia Tapsall (# 10) of Greenwich Academy watches the coin-toss along with Greenwich High School's Molli Haimerl (# 6) during the start of the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High ... more

Greenwich High School girls lacrosse coach Caitlin Keane during the match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated Greenwich High School,18-15. less

Greenwich High School girls lacrosse coach Caitlin Keane during the match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy ... more

Dick Leonard sings the National Anthem at the start of the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated Greenwich High School,18-15. less

Dick Leonard sings the National Anthem at the start of the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. ... more

At left, Carolyn Paletta (# 27) of Greenwich High School goes up against Mary Taussig (# 39) of Greenwich academy during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated Greenwich High School,18-15. less

At left, Carolyn Paletta (# 27) of Greenwich High School goes up against Mary Taussig (# 39) of Greenwich academy during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy ... more

Annie DeFrino (# 5) of Greenwich Academy during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated Greenwich High School,18-15. less

Annie DeFrino (# 5) of Greenwich Academy during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich ... more

Izzy Viola (# 24) of Greenwich Academy, right, gets past Emma Christie (# 5) of Greenwich High School during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated Greenwich High School,18-15. less

Izzy Viola (# 24) of Greenwich Academy, right, gets past Emma Christie (# 5) of Greenwich High School during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich ... more

Izzy Viola (# 24) of Greenwich Academy during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated Greenwich High School,18-15. less

Izzy Viola (# 24) of Greenwich Academy during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich ... more

At left, Angie Loynaz (# 8) of Greenwich Academy during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated Greenwich High School, 18-15. less

At left, Angie Loynaz (# 8) of Greenwich Academy during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. ... more

At right, Angie Loynaz (# 8) of Greenwich Academy during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated Greenwich High School, 18-15. less

At right, Angie Loynaz (# 8) of Greenwich Academy during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. ... more

Emily Johnson of Greenwich High School in action during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated Greenwich High School,18-15. less

Emily Johnson of Greenwich High School in action during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. ... more

At right, Sophie Waine (# 17) of Greenwich High School after scoring a first-half goal during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated Greenwich High School,18-15. less

At right, Sophie Waine (# 17) of Greenwich High School after scoring a first-half goal during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, ... more

At left, Emilia Tapsall (# 10) of Greenwich Academy goes up against Carolyn Paletta (# 27) of GHS during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated Greenwich High School,18-15. less

At left, Emilia Tapsall (# 10) of Greenwich Academy goes up against Carolyn Paletta (# 27) of GHS during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich ... more

At right, Emma Christie of Greenwich High School shoots during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated Greenwich High School,18-15. less

At right, Emma Christie of Greenwich High School shoots during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. ... more

Maddy Graves (# 1) of Greenwich High School shoots and misses past GA goalie Lexie Seidel during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated Greenwich High School,18-15. less

Maddy Graves (# 1) of Greenwich High School shoots and misses past GA goalie Lexie Seidel during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High ... more

Lexie Henkel of Greenwich Academy, on the injury list for the game, smiles during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated Greenwich High School,18-15. less

Lexie Henkel of Greenwich Academy, on the injury list for the game, smiles during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday ... more

GA coach Angela Tammaro during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated Greenwich High School,18-15. less

GA coach Angela Tammaro during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated ... more

Gabby Noto (# 4) of Greenwich Academy during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated Greenwich High School,18-15. less

Gabby Noto (# 4) of Greenwich Academy during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy ... more

Emilia Tapsall (# 10) of Greenwich Academy during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated Greenwich High School,18-15. less

Emilia Tapsall (# 10) of Greenwich Academy during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich ... more

Caroline Neumann (# 44) of Greenwich Academy during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated Greenwich High School,18-15. less

Caroline Neumann (# 44) of Greenwich Academy during the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich ... more

At left, Claire O'Connor (# 15) of Greenwich High School shakes hands at the end of the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2013. Greenwich Academy defeated Greenwich High School,18-15. less

At left, Claire O'Connor (# 15) of Greenwich High School shakes hands at the end of the girls high school lacrosse match between Greenwich High School and Greenwich Academy at Greenwich High School, Tuesday ... more

Greenwich Academy sophomore attack Angie Loynaz was just getting warmed up when she scored four consecutive goals during a six-minute span in the first half of the Gators' lacrosse showdown against Greenwich High School.

More scoring opportunities came Loynaz's way and the Gators' sharp shooter cashed in on most of them.

Loynaz scored a career-high nine goals, powering Greenwich Academy to an 18-15 victory over Greenwich High Tuesday at Cardinal Stadium.

"There were things done incredibly well on defense through transition and we finished it off on attack really well," Loynaz said. "We came into the game knowing it was going to be one of our hardest games and probably, our hardest game, so to play like this was exciting."

"She has that quick first step and the will to win," said Tammaro, whose squad played without senior attack Lexi Henkel (sprained ankle) "She has that intangible."

Junior attack Sasha Fritts recorded four goals, while senior attack Emilia Tapsall tallied two goals and two assists for the Gators, who snapped a two-game losing streak to the rival Cardinals. Senior attack Emma Christie scored five times, while senior Sophie Waine had a hat trick for GHS, which fell behind 5-0 the first six minutes of play.

"We didn't come out our strongest right from the start," Christie said. "They were up 5-0 and it's really hard to dig yourself out of that hole."

The Gators (15-1) scored on the game's first possession, as Loynaz snuck a low shot past Cardinals goalie Kylie Ginsberg 28 seconds into the opening half. Gabby Noto shot low and scored at the 23:04 mark and Tapsall converted a free position attempt, making it a 3-0 game. Back-to-back goals from Loynaz gave the visitors a quick 5-0 edge.

"We couldn't get going at the beginning of the game," Cardinals coach Caitlin Keane said. "It's frustrating when you can't get the team to reach up to their full potential to get going and get their confidence up. We had a late night last night (playing on the road against Daniel Hand Monday) and it showed in their body language. Our defense is playing really well, but our attack needs some work."

Senior midfielder Emily Johnson got GHS on the board at the 18:28 mark, beginning a 5-1 run for the Cards. Consecutive goals by Waine made it 5-3, before Loynaz's goal put GA up three. Johnson converted a shot while falling to the turf and Christie put a shot from close in past GA goalie Lexie Seidel, bringing the Cardinals to within 6-5 with 14:25 to go in the first half. That's the closest GHS got though, as GA scored four unanswered goals to open a 10-5 advantage. Loynaz scored twice during the spurt for the Gators, who exhibited solid ball movement while running their settled offense.

"Today, we all passed really well and everyone tried to help each other get open," Fritts said. "We focused on moving to open space, which created good scoring opportunities for everyone."

Trailing 11-8 at halftime after Christie's third goal, the Cards could have drawn closer had it not been for Seidel in goal. The Greenwich Academy junior rose to the occasion, finishing the afternoon with 10 saves.

"Lexie probably had the best game she's ever had," Tammaro said. "She had a great game."

Seidel follows the same routine prior to each game to prepare herself mentally.

"I listen to "We Will Rock You" by Queen, it gets me psyched up for the game," Seidel said. "Our whole defense played very well. They stepped up when they needed to step up and were able to read the offense and get to where they needed to be on defense."

The Cardinals (13-3) cut the Gators' lead to two goals on three occasions in the second half, the last time coming when Maddy Graves tallied with nine minutes left, making it a 15-13 game. Yet Greenwich Academy responded each time. Two straight goals from Loynaz put the Gators ahead 17-13 with 5:31 left.

"We did really well in the second half of trying to get those goals back," Christie said.

Attack Annie DeFrino had one goal and two assists for the Gators, who won numerous draws courtesy of Izzy Viola and were led defensively by Julia Conway.

"They have a very quick and physical team, so we knew it was going to come down to who wanted the ground balls more," Conway said. "It's always great to play them because they are a talented team and we wanted a big challenge before playing Loomis on Saturday."

Junior midfielder Carolyn Paletta scored twice, while Anne Dunster and Meghan Collins had single goals for the Cardinals, who are 4-4 against the Gators since 2005. After facing Loomis Chaffee on Saturday, GA will begin look to defend their FAA title next week. The Cardinals will host an FCIAC Tournament quarterfinal round game either Thursday or Friday.

"I'm still as confident as I was in our team going into this game," Christie said.